Director of Administration

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 205,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and vision insurance

Dental plan

Fertility and adoption benefit

Paid sabbatical after 13 years

Job summary

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP is seeking a seasoned Director of Administration to lead the Seattle office operations, people management, and service delivery. The role blends hands-on leadership with strategic oversight to support 226 attorneys and 358 professional staff across Seattle and Bellevue.

This hybrid position offers one remote day and four in-office days, with a salary range noted for Washington state. The firm emphasizes inclusion, professional growth, and a high-performance culture.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of leadership experience with staff supervision within professional services, large firm preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in management, business, OD or HR.
• Strong customer service orientation with professional demeanor and presentation.
• Ability to lead change, adapt styles to audience, and influence senior leadership.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations of Seattle and Bellevue offices with large professional staff.
• Supervise administrative areas and provide guidance to managers, legal assistants, and support staff.
• Identify process improvements and manage projects to improve efficiency and resilience.
• Coordinate HR functions including hiring, orientation, performance reviews, employee relations, and salary adjustments.
• Assist in budget preparation and monitoring office expenditures.

Skills

Leadership experience

Customer service orientation

Change management

Communication skills

Diversity, equity, inclusion

Analytical problem solving

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Management/Business/OD/HR

Tools

MS Teams

Document management systems

Invoice management systems

Job description

Director of Administration to join our team in our Seattle office.

We offer a hybrid work engagement with one day of remote work, and four days in-office.

The Director of Administration manages and oversees daily operations of the Seattle & Bellevue offices with 226 attorneys and 358 professional staff. This position will have the opportunity to have a significant impact on the organization for a professional dedicated to providing top-notch service as well as building and maintaining a diverse environment in which lawyers, paralegals and professional staff can thrive. This position is a blend of direct staff supervision for 81 professional staff and management of operations, administration, facilities, events, and hospitality and requires the ability to quickly adapt to evolving priorities and demands. The Office Administrator should demonstrate exceptional energy, commitment to service excellence, and leadership in managing and growing a team of diverse support staff professionals.

At Davis Wright Tremaine, you will find challenging assignments, opportunities for professional growth and community involvement, and a culture of inclusion. DWT fosters inclusiveness and authenticity. Regardless of position, everyone here has a voice and the support is unparalleled.

On a typical day you will:

• Manage all office operational functions including delivery of support services by Managers, Legal Assistants (secretarial), Concierge Staff and Office Services (reception, mail, document reproduction and hospitality)
• Supervise all administrative areas, provide professional staff with ongoing guidance, direction, and feedback to ensure a productive, professional, and motivated team
• Analyze operations and identify areas for process improvement and manage process improvement projects. Develop documentation to support long term operational consistency and resilience. Determine need for restructuring or changes in work reallocation to properly support clients, attorneys, staff and the culture of excellence. Ensure consistency of workflow, timeliness of projects, and the most economical and efficient use of resources available for completion of work
• Coordinate and oversee on-the-ground Human Resources functions including participating in the interviewing and hiring of professional staff, conducting new hire orientation, conducting bi-annual performance reviews, managing employee relations, salary adjustments, discipline, and separation from employment, and performing other duties as needed; liaise and report in real-time to Human Resources team on employment performance issues
• Assist in budget preparation and forecasting, including salary budget and increases. Monitor and manage office budget throughout the year, including controlling expenses appropriately and performing periodic variance analysis
• Work with team to plan and assist with regular client, partner/C-Suite, and officewide events
• Oversee facility maintenance; serve as liaison with local property management and working with building personnel and appropriate internal contacts
• Coordinate with firm-wide and global administrative operations team and work on projects and initiatives which enhance service delivery firmwide
• Anticipate and facilitate Seattle & Bellevue office contributions to the firmwide strategic plan
• Support Office Partners-In-Charge:
• Work closely with Partners-in-Charge in planning and execution of office-related initiatives, programs, and meetings involving attorneys and staff
• Seek opportunities to reduce the administrative load on the Partners-in-Charge by providing quick, concise, and accurate information while also anticipating their needs
• Collaborate with Partners-in-Charge regarding resolution of issues involving attorneys and staff
• Provide support with attorney programs or initiatives as requested
• Collaborate with Partners-in-Charge and participate in activities aimed at elevating the office’s profile and brand and enhances and supports the office and firm culture

Join us if you have:

• 10+ years of leadership experience with staff supervision and management responsibilities within the professional services industry; large law firm experience preferred
• Bachelor's Degree preferably in management, business, organization development or Human Resources
• Highly professional and organized with a strong hands‑on customer service orientation
• Business acumen must include uncompromising integrity, sound leadership experience, and the ability to effectively manage change
• Willingness and ability to adapt one’s management and communication styles based on the situation and audience
• Excellent emotional intelligence, interpersonal and communication skills (oral and written), professional demeanor, and presentation
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion among all internal and external stakeholders of the office
• Analytical with strong problem‑solving and decision‑making skills; takes initiative and uses good judgment; excellent listening and follow‑up skills
• Proven success in working well, being influential, and communicating effectively with senior leadership and staff, including presenting ideas in a clear, succinct manner
• Highly motivated with the ability to manage multiple priorities, deliver on‑time work products, and move projects along with minimal prompts
• Ability to adapt to a fast‑paced, high‑pressure environment to achieve business goals and objectives
• Strong attention to detail
• Experience with technology tools (e.g., document management systems, MS Teams, invoice management systems) for management of workflow, communication, and collaboration

Who We Are

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP is an AmLaw 100 law firm with 9 offices nationwide. We are relentlessly committed to client service and look for candidates who share that commitment. At DWT, client service means having empathy for each client’s and each lawyer’s work and personal pressures, business objectives, and legal needs; anticipating their needs; and having the capabilities and commitment to deliver what matters most to them.

What’s in it For You?

DWT offers competitive compensation in addition to ample benefits including but not limited to:

• Choice of health and vision insurance plans
• 2 paid volunteer days for qualifying community service work
• Dental plan
• Fertility and adoption benefit
• Paid sabbatical after 13 years of service
• Tuition reimbursement
• Commuter benefits
• Retirement contribution

This job description intends to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. It is not intended to include all duties and responsibilities.

Washington State

The annualized salary range for this position in Washington is $205,000 to $250,000. Actual pay will be adjusted based on the candidate’s education, training, experience and other job‑related factors permitted by law. Full time employees may be eligible for a bonus, health insurance with an optional HSA, long term disability, dental insurance, vision care, telemedicine and virtual short term solution based counseling services, life insurance, Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, subsidized backup care and caregiving resources, 401(k), vacation, sick time, 11 paid holidays each year and an employee assistance program. For full‑time employees, the initial vacation benefit is 15 days per year and 11 days of sick leave per year, accrued bi‑weekly. Additional voluntary programs include: voluntary accident insurance, voluntary life, voluntary disability, voluntary long term care, and pet insurance. Commuter and Transit programs are also available.

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP fosters a culture where all talented individuals—including those who are traditionally underrepresented in the legal profession—can have, and can see, paths to success. Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion sits on four pillars: Community, Growth, Education, and Engagement. Learn more about the firm’s commitment to DEI here: www.dwt.com/dei.

Davis Wright Tremaine provides reasonable accommodations for those who need them to complete the application or recruiting process and for employees who need reasonable accommodations to perform the essential functions of their positions due to a disability or for religious reasons. If you need to request accommodation during the application or recruiting process, please email [e-mail].

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